explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:2539: Flinch

2021-11-09T17:47:39Z

172.69.34.91: category request

A follow-up joke: "Psychologist: I don't trust you not to give it a push."
[[User:Who, me?|Who, me?]] ([[User talk:Who, me?|talk]]) 02:13, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

A sudden wind guest wouldn't add much momentum to a smooth, small object like a bowling ball in one swing. Even given minimal friction losses (air resistance and the chain's internal friction) I very much doubt it would speed it up enough to cause much of an impact. Also, unless Cueball has very bad luck or precognitive powers, he's unlikely to have set up the experiment perfectly in line with the next unexpected gust of wind, meaning any velocity vector change is likely to make the bowling ball miss the target scientist or engineer, not hit harder. [[User:Nitpicking|Nitpicking]] ([[User talk:Nitpicking|talk]]) 04:26, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

I disagree with the explanation's contention that the way Cueball is holding the ball means the experiment is being performed incorrectly. I think it's pretty clear he's not saying it will be released from exactly where he's holding it, since it's obviously not in front of any of their faces, and it's not yet above the mark on the floor. [[User:Esogalt|Esogalt]] ([[User talk:Esogalt|talk]]) 07:44, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

:Ditto. Although I have in mind a way in which a (passive) string support could be arranged so that upon the outward swing it unwraps a ting little bit and returns upon a marginally lower/significantly more face-ward back swing (same K+P energy totals at all points), even starting with a taut string. Or of course an active support that moves on command, but that'd be definite cheating-with-intent as opposed to an 'accident'.
:(I also imagine Randall saw the original, if not the Youtube parody, of your US Science-Explaining-Guy doing this for real. The Youtube parody had a cartoony 'face smash' edited in as the result as a (faux-?) bite back at the scientific rationalism. If I could remember the guy's name I'd have looked for video links to potentially insert, but all I'm getting is the likes of Brian Cox doing it (successfully), on a quick and broad search.) [[Special:Contributions/172.70.91.50|172.70.91.50]] 10:05, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

: "Not hung up correctly" might also mean that the hook suddenly comes loose on the way back, in which case the ball would fly into your face, wouldn't it? --[[Special:Contributions/172.68.110.141|172.68.110.141]] 10:58, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

::No, if the hook came loose the ball would drop to the ground. If it happened to come loose just at or very near the "closest to the target" point, it might fall on his/her foot, though. [[User:Nitpicking|Nitpicking]] ([[User talk:Nitpicking|talk]]) 11:40, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

:: (Edit-conflicted by Nitpicking, who says the start of this more succinctly. Apols. for 'repeating' that as I repaste it all in again!)
:: More likely hit your chest/fall into your lower body. It would have to be set up very fine/coincidental to still be head(/chin?)height as it was now ballistic, instead of supported at the 'original' (nose?) level. I was thinking more like a small half-loop of string (an inch or two?) round the back and over of the presumed supporting rod and held under the taut cord leading to the nose-held ball with friction enough to preventing it unwrapping immediately.
:: On swinging away, the dangling cord angles off of the looped bit, the pendulum-arc lenghthens, and if this doesn't dissipate energy in too many other ways then the extra inch or so of length means that the outward swing of the ball (and, more importantly, the return one) will still get up to roughly nose-height at zero kinetic motion, but that would be several inches (assuming total pendulum arc somewhat less than 45°*2) horizontally outward from the centre.
:: (*Note: there'd be a moment of fall-and-catch with this setup, that a slightly different string-wrapping method might avoid, but this is the archetype for the principle. A more gradual slippage-event would also prevent possible catastrophic cord-snapping upon the completion of the lengthening, which would just drop the ball away from the 'experimentee' and be more dangerous to others.)
:: Perhaps the string isn't even anchored to the anchor-point, but looped over to a smaller weight that nonetheless catches or swings round like a bolas-ball, when dragged up, to prevent total unwinding beyond the 'accidental' short distance. It could look and ''feel'' like a proper hook-tied pendulum (within limits), but probably not so easy to be inadvertently arranged than an accidental twist of a cable over the support when (in 'good faith') setting up the equipment the first time. Which the engineer seems more concerned about (bridges/etc rarely collapse by design, but due to unaccounted-for technical issues/ocersights usually only blindingly obvious after seeing what went wrong) than "you set it up that way deliberately", as I read it. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.98.145|141.101.98.145]] 12:00, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

:::Rather than your half-loop, which might be very visible, you could use a material for the cord/chain that stretches slightly under maximum tension (inelastically), say a soft alloy chain. Wait, why am I designing booby-trapped physics demonstrations? [[User:Nitpicking|Nitpicking]] ([[User talk:Nitpicking|talk]]) 12:24, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

Ponytail hardly ignores the question: "I don't trust that you hung that thing up correctly." is her answer to the question! [[Special:Contributions/172.70.178.161|172.70.178.161]] 11:44, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

Not being familiar with the US university system, my knowledge of "premed" comes entirely from a brief scan of the Wikipedia article. Nonetheless I've expanded on the title text; hopefully it's not too egregiously wrong. [[User:Esogalt|Esogalt]] ([[User talk:Esogalt|talk]]) 13:15, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

An unmistakable xkcd leitmotif: in a world suckered by theory, engineers are the crafty realists (think [[670]] and [[898]]). (ezra) 15:09, 9 November 2021 (UTC)
:Or overconfident believers that if they can do engineering, they are experts in everything (think [[1570]]). [[User:Nitpicking|Nitpicking]] ([[User talk:Nitpicking|talk]]) 15:21, 9 November 2021 (UTC)
:: We should have a category for "engineering", similar to how we have categories for [[:Category:Physics]] and [[:Category:Biology]]. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.34.91|172.69.34.91]] 17:47, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

Talk:2538: Snack

2021-11-05T20:51:14Z

172.69.34.91:

IRB is Institutional Review Board. IRB approval is needed for biomedical research involving human subjects.
https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/institutional-review-boards-frequently-asked-questions
[[Special:Contributions/172.69.34.91|172.69.34.91]] 20:51, 5 November 2021 (UTC)

2536: Wirecutter

2021-11-01T21:17:32Z

172.69.34.91: /* Explanation */ link

{{comic
| number = 2536
| date = November 1, 2021
| title = Wirecutter
| image = wirecutter.png
| titletext = This was always going to be a controversial Wirecutter post, but what really got them in trouble were their 'budget' and 'upgrade' picks.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a RELIGION REVIEWER - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

''{{w|Wirecutter (website)|Wirecutter}}'' is a product review website owned by ''The New York Times''. Randall is parodying the website by having them "review" the 70 most popular [[:Category:Religion|religion]]s. Product review websites typically make posts with the "best" X, e.g. "Best smartphones", or "Best laptops".

However, a post "reviewing" religions is sure to stir up controversy, as most religious followers are passionate about their religious beliefs and don't want to be compared against other religions. More specifically, the 3 major Abrahamic religions promote {{w|Religious exclusivism|exclusivity}}, and do not recognize other religions as valid.

The title text mentions "budget" and "upgrade" picks, which are subcategories for reviewers - cheaper options and options that are good for upgrading your current product to a newer one. Neither of these categories are typical categories for religions and would further anger their adherents.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
:[A New York Times Wirecutter article. There is the NYT logo and Wirecutter logo in the top left. Also in the top of the page is a search bar, a user account icon, and 7 "header" level hyperlinks with illegible text. The article title is as follows:]
:<b>The Best Religion</b>
:By <u>Wirecutter Staff</u>

:[The article's image depicts Cueball shrugging in the center of the picture with many question marks floating above him. The content of the article is as follows:]
:What does it all mean? Our reviewers tried out over 70 of the most popular belief systems. Here's what they found...

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]

2527: New Nobel Prizes

2021-10-12T20:00:39Z

172.69.34.91: /* Explanation */ wlink

{{comic
| number = 2527
| date = October 11, 2021
| title = New Nobel Prizes
| image = new_nobel_prizes.png
| titletext = They've endowed a separate prize in Physiology or Medicine or Stopping Dr. Adams.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a WINNER OF THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR PHYSIOLOGY OR MEDICINE OR STOPPING DOCTOR ADAMS - This explanation may be incomplete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
The {{w|Nobel Prize}} is a set of prizes awarded in memory of Alfred Nobel to, "those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind."

In this comic a Nobel prize is being awarded for the discovery of two new Nobel prizes. This parallels [[2214:_Chemistry_Nobel|Nobel Prizes awarded for the discovery of new elements]]. However, unlike elements, Nobel Prizes cannot be discovered.

The comic suggests that the doctor being awarded the prize came up with the idea of "discovering" Nobel Prizes, and no one can figure out how to stop awarding them to her.
In reality, the categories were established by Alfred Nobel's will for contributions or discoveries in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace. In 1968, Sweden's central bank funded an award for economics in honor of its 300th anniversary that is also colloquially called the Nobel Prize in Economics. While there is currently a petition to add a Nobel prize for contributions to environmental conservation, it would presumably also need external funding, although the decision process is unclear.

The title text is a play on the {{w|Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine}}, insinuating that the {{w|Nobel Assembly}} (the group in charge of awarding Nobel Prizes) has become so desperate to stop Doctor Adams that they have decided to award a Nobel Prize to anyone who can stop them. The joke also plays on the name of the said prize, because as of the writing of this comic the {{w|Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine}} is the only Nobel Prize with two subjects (e.g. with "or" in the title). This may also be a jab by Randal at the fields of Physiology and Medicine, as poking fun at other disciplines is a recurring theme on xkcd.

This comic was published on the Monday the week following the announcements of the 2021 Nobel Prize recipients.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
:[Megan stands at a podium on a stage, facing right. Behind her is a screen showing eight Nobel Prizes. Ponytail is approaching the front of the stage while waving.]
:Megan: And all eight Nobel Prizes for the Discovery of New Nobel Prizes have been awarded to...
:Megan: ''*sigh*''
:Megan: ...Doctor Adams, '''''again''''', for the discovery of two new Prizes.
:Ponytail: Thank you, thank you!

:[Caption below frame:]
:We don't know how she started this and now we can't figure out how to stop her.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Science]]

2514: Lab Equipment

2021-09-11T17:27:32Z

172.69.34.91: /* Transcript */

{{comic
| number = 2514
| date = September 10, 2021
| title = Lab Equipment
| image = lab_equipment.png
| titletext = I've been working on chocolate bar annealing techniques to try to produce the perfect laser s'more. Maybe don't mention that on the grant application though.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a LASER TOASTED MARSHMALLOW - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

This comic claims that in every science lab, there exist some piece of equipment that sticks around less for being useful, and more because the scientists and technicians just think the device is really cool.

The comic presents a laser technician lab. While giving a tour [[Ponytail]] shows a spectrometer — a device that examines light emitted from or through samples, this one might be a mass spectrometer which works by firing lasers at the sample to convert it into ions. Next she shows the "Nd:YAG" laser. "Nd:YAG" stands for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nd:YAG_laser neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet]; it is a lasing medium commonly used in lasers. Lastly she shows off a decommissioned laser not used in experiments, but rather for toasting marshmallows. Misuse of expensive, high-end equipment for heating junk food can lead to important breakthroughs. For example, the microwave oven was invented when someone working on microwave radar accidentally melted a candy bar.

Contrariwise, laser etching and cutting is commonly available in hackerspaces or makerspaces, and toasted marshmallows can be made with high-definition shapes and textures, although a normal laser cutter may introduce toxic compounds to the food. Food products have also been fed through 3d printers in place of plastic filament, and the printer will heat and plot them into arbitrarily shaped volumes. Engineering research labs will also have some of these tools, but for chemical labs they could be a rare delight.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

:[Ponytail and Cueball are talking to each other. They are standing between two tables with equipment scattered on them. Ponytail is pointing away from Cueball towards an unidentified off-panel location.]

:Ponytail: The spectrometer is over here, the Nd:YAG lasers are over here,
:Ponytail: and in the corner is a laser that turned out not to be useful for us, but we keep it because it's fun to toast marshmallows with it.

:[Caption below the panel]
:Every lab in every field has some piece of equipment like this.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Science]]
[[Category:Food]]

2513: Saturn Hexagon

2021-09-09T13:14:59Z

172.69.34.91: /* Transcript */

{{comic
| number = 2513
| date = September 8, 2021
| title = Saturn Hexagon
| image = saturn_hexagon.png
| titletext = Sorry, in SI units that's "there's a big football in there."
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by CUEBALLS POLAR HEXAGON - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
{{w|Saturn's Hexagon}} is a cloud formation on Saturn centered on its north pole. Similar to Jupiter's {{w|Great Red Spot}}, Saturn's Hexagon has proven a persistent feature observed by multiple space probes. The cause was not known until recently, when data from the 2006-2009 {{w|Cassini–Huygens}} probe could be analyzed in depth. This finding was widely publicized in popular science media (see for example [https://www.sciencealert.com/astronomers-think-they-figured-out-how-saturn-s-giant-hexagonal-storm-could-have-formed]) and is related to how currents flow deep within Saturn's atmosphere.

Randall proposes an alternate explanation: it is the top of a {{w|Ball_(association_football)|soccer ball}}. Soccer balls have been made in the shape of a {{w|truncated icosahedron}}, where faces alternate between regular hexagons and regular pentagons to achieve a more uniform roll, since 1968 when the design was introduced as the {{w|Adidas Telstar}}, a design now considered the "traditional" soccer ball.

BSBIT stands for Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology [https://www.acronymfinder.com/Bachelor-of-Science-in-Business-Information-Technology-(BSBIT).html], a relatively new specialization where business majors learn programming techniques [https://vt.edu/academics/majors/business-information-technology.html]. It could be used in the comic to imply that a graduate of this major came up with the soccer ball model listed in the presentation, but more likely BSBIT stands for "Big Soccer Ball In There".

Soccer is the name given in the United States to {{w|association football}}, the form of football practiced in most of the world. Since the imperial system (inches, feet, yards, miles, etc.) is also used in the United States whereas the SI/metric system (centimetres, metres, kilometres, etc.) is the system in use in most of the world, "football" is jokingly referred to in the title text as the SI name for "soccer". As much of the Web panders to a significantly US-based audience{{fact}}, many sites may use only Imperial measurements and omit metric equivalents, which might cause annoyed international users to respond; Randall parodies this by sarcastically and non-seriously apologizing.{{fact}}. Randall writes for his US-based college-educated community from Massachusetts.

Ironically, the UK is the birthplace of association football, and the origin of the term "soccer" — originally to distinguish it from rugby football ("rugger"), 'American' football (gridiron, or jocularly "hand-egg") and 'Aussie Rules' football, before soccer became the most common form of football and is now considered the "default" style of football. The UK is also a partial hold-out for imperial measures. Officially many everyday measurements must now be primarily given in their metric forms, if not more specifically SI, but in the UK and the US road distances remain signed in miles (though horse racing distances remain in furlongs, and their prizes in guineas), with road-speeds in miles per hour; glasses of brewed alcohol and doorstep milk deliveries are in pints (indeed, it is ''illegal'' in the UK to sell draught beer or cider except as a ⅓ pint or multiple of a half-pint); feet (plus inches) and stones (plus pounds) are still commonly used for a person's height and weight. As a further sop to those who still think better in 'old money' measures (an allusion to how the currency itself was non-metric in nature until 1971), a weather presenter may add to their summary (with the windspeeds in mph, except when in Beaufort scale) the equivalent Fahrenheit temperatures involved, in addition to the more official (i.e. 'new money') Celsius variety, and perhaps also give the inches version of any rainfall mentioned.

Incidentally, the presentation of the truncated-icosahedral 'football', pressing one clear polygonal face up along the upper limit of the planetary sphere, has much in common with the (non-truncated) icosahedron that floats within a {{w|Magic 8-Ball}}, arranged to display just one random triangular face whenever its viewing window is upwards. This may be coincidence, without any obvious attempt to directly reference any of the likely memes relating to this.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

[Cueball is presenting in front of a poster, which he points with a stick.]

We're proud to announce that our team has finally determined the origin and nature of Saturn's polar hexagon.

[The poster represents Saturn and it's ring. There is a massive semi-transparent football/soccer ball inside of the planet.
Saturn's polar hexagon matches on of the ball's hexagons, and is labelled "Hexagon". Other labels are illegible.

The poster's title is "There's a big soccer ball in there". The rest of the poster is illegible, except for "Bsbit model".]

{{comic discussion}}